drop someone or something like a hot potato

drop (someone or something) like a hot potato

To abandon someone or something suddenly and completely, sometimes to avoid potential problems. I haven't seen Cynthia in weeks because she dropped me like a hot potato once she started hanging out with the cool kids.We dropped our renovation plans like a hot potato after finding out how much the job would cost.

drop someone or something like a hot potato

quickly abandon someone or something. informal

Drop here is used literally, but also in the figurative sense of ‘end a social acquaintance with someone’. A hot potato can be used independently as a metaphor for a controversial or awkward issue or problem that no one wants to deal with.

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